Holy bargain! £2m for Batmobile

THE original Batmobile is for sale for the first time in history, but you’ll need Bruce Wayne’s fortune to buy it.

Auctioneers hope to get £2million for the car that starred in the 1960s Batman TV series []

Auctioneers hope to get £2million for the car that starred in the 1960s Batman TV series – a far cry from the $1 it cost its owner, George Barris.

Car customiser Barris bought the Lincoln Futura in 1965 and spent £10,000 transforming it into the one-of-a-kind Batmobile driven by actor Adam West who played Batman and his alter ego, billionaire Wayne.

Barris, 87, has owned it ever since but has now decided to put it up for sale next month in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“I think it is the most valuable car in the world and the public really get a kick out of it when they see it,” he said yesterday.

“I have shown it all around the world but now I think it is time that someone else can enjoy it.

“Over the years I have built many cars and I always get attached to them and it will be sad to see it go but I would like someone else to enjoy it now.

Batmobile owner George Barris

“When I created it I wanted to make it a star like Adam West. It was not just a car.”

The Batmobile uses a V8 engine and automatic gearbox but it is its unmistakable design and famous history which will appeal to collectors.

Craig Jackson, of auctioneers Barrett-Jackson, said: “The Batmobile is true Americana and it’s hard to put a figure on something like that. The difference is that this is the real deal, the original and the only one to have been on the Batman series – it’s been in George Barris’s garage for all these years and that is invaluable.

“We expect plenty of enthusiasts and fans to come out and wouldn’t be surprised if the car sold for multiple millions.”

I have shown it all around the world but now I think it is time that someone else can enjoy it

Car customiser Barris

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger sold for £2.6million in 2010 while the Ford GT40 used by Steve McQueen in 1971 film Le Mans fetched £6.5million earlier this year.